Thread Auditions

Now that I have built up the branches with embroidery, I want to add another layer of machine stitching over the top to even everything out and tie it all together.  I hope for those underlying threads to just peek out and give a bark like texture.

Embroidering Branches for Dimension

Embroidery on the Vintage Silk Collage

Auditioning embroidery threads.

Stacked Beads for Vintage Collage #1

 Here is the first one finished with stacked beads.

Kimono Collage 12" Square - More Stitching

This is as far as I have gotten with this 12" square Kimono Collage.  I took a leap of faith and screen printed over the top of a couple of layers of silk.  I am not thrilled with the printing - don't think it added a whole lot, but I am committed now - unless I remove or overlayer with something else. 

Actually, I have even considered abandoning the Kimono Collage series or changing the scope significantly, but I decided to try to finish the other two 16 x 20" pieces I began at the same time.  More Kimono Collages tomorrow.

Zinc Quilt Detail

Here is a detail of the finished piece.  The zinc pieces are curved just a bit.  I am going to have to keep the full images under wraps until the exhibition opens in the spring.  I am happy to report that I finished this just under the wire on the timeline and it has already joined the other pieces in the Radical Elements Exhibition at the SAQA shipping center!

The finished size is 22 wide x 36 high.  

Cellular Melt Down

This is the next phase of design process.  The remaining synthetic fabric that has not been stitched is melted away using a wood burning tool.  A respirator was necessary for me even though I did all the melting outside.

Second Color of Stitching Zinc Quilt

 The second layer of stitching is darker and I tried to stitch on the outside edges of the printed "cells".

Stitching the Zinc Quilt

 Once the screen printing was finished, I began stitching the fabric layers between the zinc squares.  I had experimented with stitching the metal, but it was just too tough on the needle and the thread broke far to often for it to be something that could be done on a larger scale.

 I planned on doing two colors/ two layers of stitching.  Yellow/orange/green was done first inside of each "cell".

Moved Bead Strands

I was not happy with the way the beads look on this piece (see previous post).  I have pinned the bead strands over to the edge of the black strip - which seems better to my eye.

This picture also shows how I stitched along the edge (in the ditch) of the sewn/fused binding to anchor it in place through all layers.

I will continue to think about this..... still undecided about these beads - might just take them all off, but will move onto something else while I ponder it.

More Beads on Six Mandalas

 Ok, so here it is right now.....I am not lovin' it. 

I need to rethink this. 

More Beads ?

 I felt like there needed to be a bead on the opposite side horizontal strip, but not the same dangling strand.  I opted to go with two stacked beads placed above the fabric strip - not sure if this is right or not, but they are stitched in place......they can always come off if I decide.

So now it seems like there should be some beads on the black group of block printed silk on the right.  I pin some beads below it on the design wall to help me decide. 

Bead Decisions

I finally settled on a single dangling string of beads to come off each thin horizontal strip of raw silk.

 

 The polymer clay beads did not make the final cut.  Instead, I decided I would use a variety of mismatched beads in black and gold.
 
I combined three threads on the needle to thread the beads.
 I used two different shades of metallics (for the sewing machine) and a black pearl cotton.

 

I am happy with this, but it seems like it needs more.......

Making Polymer Beads

 The grand kids were visiting and wanted to make something with polymer clay, so I played along and made some beads I thought might work for this quilt.

 I am not really sure what I am going to do here, but I pulled out all my beads in shades of gold, antique gold, and black and started auditioning.  The polymer beads are now burnished to an antique gold color.